US5216820A - Curing unit and method of curing ink - Google Patents
Curing unit and method of curing ink Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US5216820A US5216820A US07/765,141 US76514191A US5216820A US 5216820 A US5216820 A US 5216820A US 76514191 A US76514191 A US 76514191A US 5216820 A US5216820 A US 5216820A
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- reflector
- lamp
- curing
- cover
- assembly
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 18
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 70
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 64
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 38
- CBENFWSGALASAD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ozone Chemical compound [O-][O+]=O CBENFWSGALASAD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 32
- 239000000976 ink Substances 0.000 claims description 26
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000008602 contraction Effects 0.000 abstract 1
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 7
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 6
- 239000003039 volatile agent Substances 0.000 description 5
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012141 concentrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000356 contaminant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002845 discoloration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010981 drying operation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003112 inhibitor Substances 0.000 description 1
- QSHDDOUJBYECFT-UHFFFAOYSA-N mercury Chemical compound [Hg] QSHDDOUJBYECFT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F26—DRYING
- F26B—DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM
- F26B3/00—Drying solid materials or objects by processes involving the application of heat
- F26B3/28—Drying solid materials or objects by processes involving the application of heat by radiation, e.g. from the sun
Definitions
- the invention relates generally to a curing apparatus for use in screen process printing, and more particularly to an apparatus for curing photopolymerizable inks applied to flat and three-dimensional articles.
- Ultraviolet light sources have long been used for curing photopolymerizable inks on various substrates.
- most conventional types of curing systems develop a significant amount of heat and a build-up of ozone and certain evaporative volatiles in the reaction chamber during the curing operation.
- Heat causes a number of problems, such as distortion of printed substrates and misregistration of multicolor. Excessive heat may also result in discoloration, shrinkage, or even blocking of more sensitive inks and substrates. These problems are aggravated when the upward movement of heated air within the curing chamber lifts lighter weight substrates upward within the chamber toward the lamp; fires may result, as well as reduced efficiency may result due to dirt on the lamp. Additionally, excessive heat captured in the curing chamber can greatly reduce the life of the lamp.
- Ozone acts as a inhibitor to curing the ink itself. Ozone inhibits the chemical reaction required to polymerize and dry the ultraviolet curing ink. This improper cure can reduce the film strength and its adhesion to the printed substrate.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,434,562 to Bubley et al. includes a blower that produces a cooling air flow directed to the inner and outer surfaces of a reflector shield that houses an elongated curing lamp. While this type of design has been effective in supplying air to various components of the curing unit, it has not been effective for removing the heated air and ozone from the system. Further, it produces excessive air flow across the lamp, which diminishes the ultraviolet radiation output of the lamp.
- a related object is to provide a curing unit that maximizes the amount of radiation provided under lower temperature conditions and decreases the level of ozone and other contaminants within the curing chamber.
- Another object of the invention is to provide an ink curing unit that has a high productivity and repeatable ultraviolet ink drying operation.
- a further object is to provide time and energy efficient drying of heat sensitive substrates.
- An alternate object is to provide an ink curing unit that is safe and durable.
- a related object is to provide efficient exhaust of heat, ozone, and other volatiles from the drying chamber.
- Another object is to provide a curing unit that is versatile in that it may be easily adjusted to accommodate various types of substrates.
- a more specific object is to provide a curing unit that includes a vacuum to hold lightweight sheets down.
- a related object is to provide a curing unit having a lamp that may be easily adjusted to provide a variable focus.
- An additional object is to provide a curing unit that has low maintenance and may be easily serviced.
- a related object is to provide a curing unit having a lamp that may be easily cleaned and replaced.
- Still another object is to provide a low cost unit that may be used to retrofit existing conveyorized dryers, so that existing conventional conveyorized dryers may be easily modified to provide combination drying capabilities.
- the invention provides a curing unit and a method for curing ink and the like on a substrate.
- the unit includes a lamp for providing radiation disposed within a curing chamber defined by a downwardly opening reflector assembly.
- the reflector assembly includes primary and secondary reflectors.
- the secondary reflector reflects radiation onto the primary reflector that is emitted along the upper portion of the lamp and would otherwise be reflected back downward onto the lamp.
- the primary reflector reflects onto the substrate radiation that has been emitted from the lamp into the primary reflector along with the radiation that has been reflected onto the surface of the primary reflector by the secondary reflector.
- the reflector assembly is disposed within a cover that has at least one opening in its outer surface and defines an outer chamber.
- the unit further includes means for exhausting heated air from the curing chamber, and means for drawing air through at least one opening provided in the cover into the outer chamber and exhausting the air from the outer chamber.
- the unit As the unit exhausts heated air created by the curing lamp from the curing chamber, the unit greatly reduces the temperature of the curing chamber and, consequently, the operating temperature of the curing system.
- the system is further cooled by the external cooling air that is drawn through the openings in the cover into the outer chamber and then exhausted from the chamber.
- This exhaust arrangement effectively cools the curing unit and provides cool running conditions.
- the conveyor belt may be fabricated from an open mesh material and vacuum applied to hold lighter weight substrates to the belt. In this way, the curing unit significantly reduces the risk of substrate fires generally associated with ultraviolet curing units.
- the level of radiation emission may be increased in order to decrease drying time.
- the speed of a conveyor or the like, which passes the substrates beneath the lamp may be increased, with a corresponding increase in productivity and decrease in temperature.
- the unit may be utilized to dry inks and coatings on a wide range of substrates, including heat sensitive substrates such as paper and plastic without burning, shrinking or distorting the substrate.
- the unit exhausts the heated air from the curing chamber, heat is pulled away from the curing lamp, rather than directed at the lamp, as in the prior art. Consequently, the air flow within the curing chamber does not diminish the ultraviolet radiation output of the lamp, as in the prior art. Further, as the cooling arrangement greatly reduces the temperature within the curing chamber, it maintains the energy output of the ultraviolet lamp, which likewise increases the durability of the curing system.
- the exhaust means draws heated air from the curing chamber, it likewise exhausts reaction-restricting ozone from the curing chamber. Consequently, the exhaust arrangement further decreases drying time by providing an environment in which the drying reaction may occur unincumbered by ozone or other volatiles.
- the invention provides an arrangement that greatly increases the speed and effectiveness of ultraviolet ink-curing processes by exhausting heat and ozone from the curing unit and directing substantially all of the light emitted from the lamp onto the substrate.
- the inventive arrangement therefore, greatly increases productivity, durability, and safety of ultraviolet ink curing processes.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ultraviolet curing system including an ultraviolet curing unit constructed in accordance with the invention and showing the cover assembly in an upright position.
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the ultraviolet curing unit of FIG. 1 with the cover assembly in a lowered position and partially cut away to show the underlying reflector assembly, and the adjustable positioning of the curing lamp.
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the ultraviolet curing unit with the cover assembly in a lowered position and showing chambers and air paths for cooling and exhaust.
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4--4 in FIG. 3 of the ultraviolet curing unit with the cover assembly in a lowered position.
- FIG. 5a is an end view of the curing unit as shown in FIG. 3 showing the concentration of the ultraviolet energy band reflected by the primary reflector assembly onto the substrate.
- the width of the band is adjustable by raising or lowering the lamp.
- FIG. 5b is the same end view of the curing unit as in FIG. 5a showing the concentration of energy reflected by the secondary reflector onto the substrate instead of into the lamp.
- FIG. 1 there is shown a perspective view of a system 10 for curing ink on a substrate (not shown) by the application of ultraviolet radiation.
- the system 10 includes a frame 12 supported on legs 14.
- a conventional continuous conveyor belt 16 supports and passes the substrate beneath a curing unit 18.
- the substrate may be held on the conveyor belt 16 by a vacuum from a suction unit 17 underlying the conveyor belt 16.
- the curing unit 18 includes a base 19, which supports the unit 18 on the frame 12 above the conveyor belt 16.
- An elongated curing lamp 20 is supported within the unit 18 above the conveyor belt 16 and provides ultraviolet light to cure ink on the substrate.
- the lamp 20 may be a conventional ultraviolet lamp or tube, such as a mercury vapor tube.
- the lamp 20 is disposed within an elongated reflector assembly 22, which reflects radiation emitted by the lamp 2 downward onto the substrate through a curing chamber 24 (shown in FIGS. 4, 5a, and 5b) defined between the reflector assembly 22 and the conveyor belt 16.
- the curing unit 18 further includes an elongated, generally inverted U-shaped cover assembly 26.
- the cover assembly 26 is provided with a hinge 28 along one side so that the cover assembly may be pivoted open to the position shown. It will be appreciated, however, that during operation the cover assembly 26 is lowered over the reflector assembly 22 so as to define a cooling chamber therebetween.
- an improved curing unit 18 and method of curing ink on a substrate is provided.
- the curing unit 18 is a unique design that operates at substantially low temperatures to cure ink on a substrate in a substantially cool environment.
- the unit provides a dual chamber cover assembly 26 and a unique reflector assembly 22, which facilitate removal of ozone and heated air from within the curing chamber 24 and dissipate heat from the reflector assembly 22 itself, while directing a maximum amount of ultraviolet energy downward toward the substrate.
- the unit 18 removes heat from the cooling and curing chambers 24 and provides a flow of cooling outside air, thereby maintaining components that normally retain heat at acceptable operating temperatures at all times.
- the unit 18 removes ozone, which would otherwise inhibit the chemical drying action, from within the curing chamber 24.
- the design of the individual components and operation of the curing unit may be more fully understood by reference to FIGS. 2-5b.
- FIG. 2 an enlarged fragmentary view of the ultraviolet curing unit 18 of FIG. 1 is shown with the cover assembly 26 in a lowered position.
- the cover assembly 26 includes an outer cover 30 and an inner cover 32 (shown in broken lines) disposed within the outer cover 30.
- the outer cover 30 is provided with one or more openings 36.
- three openings 36 are provided in the upper surface of the outer cover 30, but it will be appreciated that the cover may include any number of openings 36 disposed to provide sufficient cool air circulation around the inner cover 32.
- the cover assembly 26 is shown partially broken away in FIG. 2 to illustrate the reflector assembly 22 disposed within the inner cover 32.
- An inner cooling chamber 38 is formed between the inner cover 32 and the reflector assembly 22.
- the reflector assembly 22 is formed with a gap 40 along its upper surface through which heated air and other gases may rise into the inner cooling chamber 38.
- the heated air and other gases are exhausted from the unit 18 by an exhaust system, which will be described in greater detail below.
- the gap 40 acts as a venturi as the heated air and gases flow through the gap 40.
- the gap 40 must be so dimensioned to cooperate with the exhaust system to provide an efficient flow of air from the curing chamber 24 through the gap 40 to be exhausted from the unit 18. It will be appreciated that there will be insufficient air flow if the gap 40 is too small, or air flow that is not uniform if the gap 40 is too large. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the gap 40 is on the order of 1/16 of an inch wide.
- the reflector assembly 22 is formed in two elongated halves 42, coupled together at their ends, with the gap 40 extending the length of the reflector assembly 22 along its upper portion. It will be appreciated, however, that the reflector assembly 22 could be formed as a single unit with one or more gaps, openings, or the like formed along its upper portion. Alternately, the reflector assembly 22 could be formed of three or more elements with gaps formed therebetween to provide multiple openings through which heated air could escape the curing chamber 24.
- lamp support assemblies 44 are provided at opposite ends of the reflector assembly 22.
- the reflector assembly 22 is coupled to the support assemblies 44 by pins 45, which are inserted into openings 47 that extend longitudinally along the outer surface of the reflector assembly 22.
- the lamp support assemblies 44 include end plates 46 and support brackets 48. It will be appreciated that the end plates 46 substantially cover the ends of the reflector assembly 22 to prevent the escape of ultraviolet radiation from the curing chamber 24.
- the ends of the curing lamp 20 extend from the curing chamber 24 through elongated openings or slots 50 in the end plates 46, and are supported in V-slots 52 of the support brackets 48. In this way, the lamp 20 is self-centered in the reflector assembly 22.
- the V-slots 52 allow the lamp 20 components to expand and contract without exerting undue forces of the lamp 20.
- the ends of the lamp 20 extend from the curing chamber 24, they are not directly exposed to ultraviolet light. The ends are further cooled by the flow of air as it is drawn and exhausted from the inner cooling chamber 38. In this way, the manner in which the lamp 20 is supported extends the life of the lamp 20 itself.
- the reflector assembly 22 may be removable to allow easy access to the lamp 20.
- the reflector assembly 22 may be formed as a single unit and hinged along one side or formed as two parallel components that pivot outward to allow access to the lamp 20. In the preferred embodiment, the sides of the reflector assembly 22 rest on pins. Thus, the reflector assembly 22 may be easily lifted to allow complete access to the lamp 20. Further, as the lamp 20 simply rests in the V-slots 52 and the elongated openings 50, it may be very easily replaced or serviced when the cover assembly 26 and reflector assembly 22 are removed.
- the position of the lamp 20 within the reflector assembly 22 may be adjusted. It will be appreciated that the lamp 20 may be adjusted to a "downward" position within the reflector assembly 22 to provide a wider energy band; conversely, the lamp 20 may be adjusted to an "upward" position within the reflector assembly 22 to provide a narrower energy band.
- the support brackets 48 which support the lamp 20, may be adjusted upward or downward with respect to the end plates 46. While other designs may be suitable, in the exemplified embodiment, vertical slots 54 in the support brackets 48 are disposed on tightening screws 56 or the like on the end plates 46. In this way, the lamp 20 may be moved upward or downward within the curing chamber 24.
- a system for creating a negative pressure to exhaust air and ozone from the dual-chambered cover assembly 26.
- one or more blower assemblies 60 are coupled to the curing unit 18 at one or more blower suction holes 62.
- the ends of the cover assembly 26 form a duct which cooperates with the blower suction holes 62 to define an air flow path; suction holes 62 are provided at both ends in order to equalize the vacuum. It will be appreciated, however, that different cover assembly 26 configurations and different exhaust means may be used to create a vacuum to expel air and ozone from the cover assembly 26.
- a blower assembly 60 draws cooling fresh air from the atmosphere surrounding the unit 18 into the outer cooling chamber 34 of the cover assembly 26 through the openings 36 in the outer cover 30, as indicated by the solid white arrows. Further, and as indicated by the cross-hatched arrows, operation of the blower assembly 60 draws ozone and heated air, which rise from the curing chamber 24 through the gap 40 in the reflector assembly 22, from the inner cooling chamber 38, the gap 40 acting as a venturi as air rushes therethrough. The blower assembly 60 then exhausts the cooling fresh air and the heated air, along with the ozone and other volatiles to the atmosphere.
- FIGS. 3 and 4 show cross-sectional side and end views of the curing unit 18, respectively.
- Air flows through the outer and inner chambers 34, 38 are indicated by white and black arrows, respectively. It may be seen that the blower 60 pulls cooling fresh air into the outer chamber 34 through the openings 36, across the surfaces of the inner and outer covers 32, 30 to cool the components.
- the blower 60 pulls heated air and ozone from the curing chamber 24 into the inner cooling chamber 38 through the gap 40 disposed along the top of the reflector assembly 22, as well as through gaps 64 existing between the reflector assembly 22 and adjacent components of the curing unit 18 (as shown in FIG. 4).
- the cooling system does not blow cooling air directly across the inside surface of the reflector assembly 22 and the lamp 20, as in the prior art device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,434,562 to Bubley et al. In this way, the invention prevents excessive cooling of the lamp, which can diminish the ultraviolet energy output of the lamp.
- the blower 60 may additionally pull cooling fresh air into the inner cooling chamber 38 through gaps 66 existing between the cover assembly 26 and the curing unit base 19 to provide a cooling air flow across the inner surface of the inner cover 32 and the outer surface of the reflector assembly 22 to cool the components.
- the reflector assembly 22 is extruded aluminum and includes a plurality of longitudinally extending cooling fins 68 disposed along its upper surface. Thus, as cooling air passes across the fins along the outside surface of the reflector assembly 22, the reflector assembly 22 will be efficiently and effectively cooled.
- the reflector assembly 22 produces both primary and secondary reflections 70, 72, as shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, respectively.
- the primary reflection 70 concentrates ultraviolet energy on the substrate as shown in FIG. 5a. It will be appreciated that the area over which the energy is focused may be adjusted by adjusting the lamp 20 up or down within the reflector assembly 22, as explained before.
- the primary reflection 70 is provided by a high polish primary reflector shield 74, which generally surrounds the curing lamp 20, substantially covering the inside surface of the reflector assembly 22.
- the primary reflector shield 74 comprises portions disposed within each half 42 of the primary reflector assembly 22.
- the halves of the reflector shield 74 are disposed within longitudinally extending slots 76 in the reflector portions 42.
- the primary reflector shield 74 is fabricated from a highly polished material, such as Alzak or a similar material.
- the reflector assembly 22 provides a secondary reflection 72, as shown in FIG. 5b.
- the secondary reflection 72 provides energy diverted from the blind spot above the lamp 20, which would otherwise be reflected back into the lamp 20 itself, to the primary reflector shield 74 to be focused on the substrate passing beneath the curing unit 18.
- the secondary reflection 72 also substantially reduces the temperature and extends the life of the lamp 20 by redirecting energy that would otherwise be reflected into the lamp 20.
- the reflector assembly 22 includes a secondary reflector 78 disposed along the blind spot of the reflector assembly 22 directly above the lamp 20.
- the secondary reflector 78 comprises angled surfaces that focus the energy emitted from the upper portion of the lamp 20 toward the primary reflector shield 74 and then downward to the substrate. It will be appreciated that when the angled surfaces of the secondary reflector 78 are disposed about the gap 40 formed between the reflector halves 42, the secondary reflector 78 also facilitates smooth flow of heated air from the curing chamber 24 to the inner cooling chamber 38.
- the secondary reflector 78 is fabricated as part of the extruded reflector halves 42.
- the present invention provides a curing unit 18 and method for curing ink and the like on a substrate.
- the unit 18 includes a curing lamp 20 disposed within the curing chamber 24 of a reflector assembly 22, which includes primary and secondary reflectors 74, 78 that reflect downward toward a substrate substantially all of the radiation emitted by the lamp 20.
- the reflector assembly 22 is disposed within a dual-chamber cover 26 having an inner cover and an outer cover 32, 30 to define an outer cooling chamber 34 between the inner and outer covers 32, 30, and an inner cooling chamber 38 between the inner cover 32 and the reflector assembly 22.
- the unit 18 further includes means 60 for exhausting air from the chambers 34, 38.
- the exhausting means 60 draws external cooling air into the outer chamber 34 through openings 36 provided in the outer cover 30 to cool the unit 18. Further, the exhausting means 60 draws heated air containing ozone, which rises from the curing chamber 24 through a gap 40 in the reflector assembly 22, from the inner cooling chamber 38 to cool the curing chamber 24. In this way, the curing unit 18 maintains a cool curing environment and provides cool running conditions. Thus, the level of radiation emitted and the speed of the conveyor 16 may be increased with a corresponding increase in productivity without damage to the substrate.
Abstract
Description
Claims (21)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US07/765,141 US5216820A (en) | 1991-09-25 | 1991-09-25 | Curing unit and method of curing ink |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US07/765,141 US5216820A (en) | 1991-09-25 | 1991-09-25 | Curing unit and method of curing ink |
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US5216820A true US5216820A (en) | 1993-06-08 |
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US07/765,141 Expired - Lifetime US5216820A (en) | 1991-09-25 | 1991-09-25 | Curing unit and method of curing ink |
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Cited By (18)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5317127A (en) * | 1992-08-28 | 1994-05-31 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Apparatus including air blowing and infrared light means for drying ink on a sheet |
US5440821A (en) * | 1991-04-22 | 1995-08-15 | Infrarodteknik Ab | Method and a device of treating a continuous material web with infrared light and heated air |
EP0798038A2 (en) * | 1996-03-27 | 1997-10-01 | Ushiodenki Kabushiki Kaisha | Ultraviolet irradiation device |
WO1997038275A1 (en) * | 1996-04-04 | 1997-10-16 | Gew (Ec) Limited | Uv dryer with improved reflector |
US6646278B1 (en) * | 1999-04-13 | 2003-11-11 | Ist Metz Gmbh | Irradiating device |
US20040070977A1 (en) * | 2002-10-15 | 2004-04-15 | Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. | Curved reflective surface for redirecting light to bypass a light source coupled with a hot mirror |
US20040069937A1 (en) * | 2002-10-15 | 2004-04-15 | Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. | Light trap and heat transfer apparatus and method |
US20040070976A1 (en) * | 2002-10-15 | 2004-04-15 | Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. | Curved and reflective surface for redirecting light to bypass a light source |
US20040070975A1 (en) * | 2002-10-15 | 2004-04-15 | Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. | Shutter apparatus, curing lamp housing incorporating same, and method of shutter replacement |
US20060292311A1 (en) * | 2005-06-28 | 2006-12-28 | Kilburn John I | UV cure equipment with combined light path |
US20070169373A1 (en) * | 2006-01-25 | 2007-07-26 | Tokyo Electron Limited | Heat processing apparatus and heat processing method |
US20080175999A1 (en) * | 2007-01-22 | 2008-07-24 | Tokyo Electron Limited | Heating apparatus, heating method, and computer readable storage medium |
US20080315133A1 (en) * | 2004-10-01 | 2008-12-25 | Joachim Jung | Uv Irradiation Unit |
US20100000429A1 (en) * | 2008-05-30 | 2010-01-07 | M&R Printing Equipment, Inc. | Modular oval screen printing apparatus |
US20130183067A1 (en) * | 2010-09-24 | 2013-07-18 | Sicpa Holding Sa | Device, system and method for producing a magnetically induced visual effect |
JP2014042884A (en) * | 2012-08-27 | 2014-03-13 | Gs Yuasa Corp | Ultraviolet irradiator |
US10131160B2 (en) | 2015-08-14 | 2018-11-20 | M&R Printing Equipment, Inc. | Hybrid silk screen and direct-to-garment printing machine and process |
US11077676B2 (en) | 2019-10-18 | 2021-08-03 | M&R Printing Equipment, Inc. | Digital-to-garment inkjet printing machine |
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5440821A (en) * | 1991-04-22 | 1995-08-15 | Infrarodteknik Ab | Method and a device of treating a continuous material web with infrared light and heated air |
US5317127A (en) * | 1992-08-28 | 1994-05-31 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Apparatus including air blowing and infrared light means for drying ink on a sheet |
EP0798038A2 (en) * | 1996-03-27 | 1997-10-01 | Ushiodenki Kabushiki Kaisha | Ultraviolet irradiation device |
EP0798038A3 (en) * | 1996-03-27 | 1997-11-19 | Ushiodenki Kabushiki Kaisha | Ultraviolet irradiation device |
WO1997038275A1 (en) * | 1996-04-04 | 1997-10-16 | Gew (Ec) Limited | Uv dryer with improved reflector |
US6646278B1 (en) * | 1999-04-13 | 2003-11-11 | Ist Metz Gmbh | Irradiating device |
US6834984B2 (en) * | 2002-10-15 | 2004-12-28 | Delaware Captial Formation, Inc. | Curved reflective surface for redirecting light to bypass a light source coupled with a hot mirror |
US20040070977A1 (en) * | 2002-10-15 | 2004-04-15 | Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. | Curved reflective surface for redirecting light to bypass a light source coupled with a hot mirror |
US20040070976A1 (en) * | 2002-10-15 | 2004-04-15 | Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. | Curved and reflective surface for redirecting light to bypass a light source |
US20040070975A1 (en) * | 2002-10-15 | 2004-04-15 | Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. | Shutter apparatus, curing lamp housing incorporating same, and method of shutter replacement |
US20040069937A1 (en) * | 2002-10-15 | 2004-04-15 | Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. | Light trap and heat transfer apparatus and method |
US6883936B2 (en) | 2002-10-15 | 2005-04-26 | Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. | Shutter apparatus, curing lamp housing incorporating same, and method of shutter replacement |
US6942367B2 (en) | 2002-10-15 | 2005-09-13 | Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. | Curved and reflective surface for redirecting light to bypass a light source |
US7128429B2 (en) | 2002-10-15 | 2006-10-31 | Mark Andy, Inc. | Light trap and heat transfer apparatus and method |
US20080315133A1 (en) * | 2004-10-01 | 2008-12-25 | Joachim Jung | Uv Irradiation Unit |
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